Fastener-applying implement



Oct. 1.7,` 1939. J. F. cAvANAGH' A FASTENER-APPLYING IMPLEMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 7, 1937 Patented Oct. 17, 1939 PATENT oFFlcE 2,176,581 y FASTENER-APPLYING IIVIPLEMENT John F. Cavanagh, Providence, R. I., assgnor to Boston Wire Stitcher Company, Warwick, R. I.,

a corporation of Maine Application-July 7, 1937, Serial No. 152,339 9 claims. (o1. 1 3) This invention relates to fastener-applying implements of the type in which the fasteners are supplied to the magazine at its forward end, and more particularly to an automatically-operated retainer for preventing ejectment of the fasteners when the magazine is opened.'

In one known type of fastener-applying implement a refill stick or charge vof fasteners is supplied to the magazine at its forward end by sliding it onto a core therein. In this type of implement a closure or gate hinged to theforward end of the magazine is rockable to .open the end thereof. A stick of preformed fasteners, held together by adhesive, is then slid rearwardly into the magazine against the force of a springpressed pusher. In such implements a springoperated pawl is sometimes provided for engaging the stick of fasteners when the gate' is opened and adapted to be rocked to release the fasteners when the gate is closed. Thepawl thu's opposes the action of the pusher when the gate is open to prevent ejectment of the fasteners from the magazine. Although' Athis type of retainer 'is quite satisfactory in use its point or beak is subject to considerable abrasive action and eventually becomes worn down'or'rounded over so that it will not properly hold the fasteners. Consequently, any fasteners remaining in "the `magazine when the gate is opened maybe ejected by the pusher. 3u One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an implement of the type indicated having a novel form of fastener-retainer which is not rendered inoperative by wear.

Another object of the invention is to provide a retainer of the type indicated comprising a member adapted to be moved bodily forward into wedging engagement with the fasteners and moved rearwardly out of wedging engagement to release the fasteners.

Another objectof the `invention is to provide a retainer of the type indicated in the form of a wheel rotatably and bodily movable for wedging action between the fasteners Aand a relatively xed abutment.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a retainer of the type indicated which is of simple and compact construction, 'efficient and positive' in operation 'and adapted for use over long periods of time without repair orreplacement.

Further objects of the improvement are set forth in the following specification which describes a preferred embodiment of the invention, by way of example, as illustrated by the accom- 55l panying drawings.. Inthe drawings;

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a fastener-applying implement incorporating the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional viewof the forward end of the magazine-arm ofthe implement showing the retainer held vby 'the closure T5 free from engagement with the fasteners;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the closure rocked to its open position and the retainer in wedging engagement between the fasteners and an abutment on the magazine-arm;

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the implement showing the parts in the relationship illustrated in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a detailed sectional view of the retainer and magazine-arm showing the retainer wedged between the abutment on the arm and the pusher for the fasteners; and

Fig. 6 is a detailed perspective view of the Parts of the retainer in disassembled relationship.

The retaining means constituting the subjectmatter of the present invention is illustrated in' the accompanying drawings as applied to an implement of the type shown and described in a pending application for United States Letters Patent, Serial No. 59,256, filed 'Januar-y 15, 1936. Such implements are employed for applying U- shaped staples to the work but it is to be understood that the invention may be used withother types of implements or with similar implement for applying other forms of fasteners. L

The stapling implement 'as herein illustrated comprises a base 2 of usual construction having a clincher-anvil 3 at its forward end and upstanding spaced ears 4 at its rearward end. An arm 5 in the form of a magazine is rockably mounted on a pivot-pin 6 extending between the spaced ears ll and through a suitable bearing 1 on the arm. The arm 5 is yieldingly held in raised position as illustrated in Fig. 1 by means of a springpressed button 8 on the base 2 which yields to permit the arm to be rocked about the pivot-pin 6. The magazine 5 is comprised of a U-sh'aped channel member 9 provided with a longitudinallyextending inner support or trough-shaped core I0, see Fig. 4.-. The core I0 is adapted to support staples s straddled across its top and held in place thereon by the folded-over sides of the U-shaped member 9. Secured to the Varm 5 adjacent its forward end is a U-shaped bracket 'or standard I5 forming spaced stanchions I6 andy I'I connected at their. rearward edges by a web I8. Flanges I9 and 2U integral with the stanchions I6 and I1 extend outwardly and downwardly to overlie the sides ofthe U-shaped member 9 and are xedly secured vtheretoas by weldingrorthe like, see Fig. 4. The stanchions I6 and l1' project upwardly beyond the web I8 and are provided with alined, vertically-extending slots 2| adjacent their upper edges.

The forward end of the magazine-arm 5 may be provided with any suitable closure and, as herein illustrated, the closure is in the form of a U-shaped housing 25 which supports the stapleapplying mechanism, thus forming a self-contained unit. The housing 25 is pivotally mounted on the stanchions I6 and I1 by means of. a pinl. extending through the alined slots 2| in the stanchions with its ends riveted: or otherwise-secured to the opposite side walls 2l and 28 of the.

housing. When the housing 25 is in closed position, as illustrated in Fig. 2, its'front wall 29 cooperates with the end of the magazine-arm 5 to form a throat 30' through which thek staples are driven. The lower edges of the sides 21 and 28. of the housing 25 are formed with notches 3l which engagewithzlugsZ on the flanges I9 and 20. of the stanchions I6r and l l to releasably latch the stapling'unitfin closedposition. The notches 3l are yieldingly'heldin latchedengagement with the lugs 32rby a spring-33l connected to the pivotpin 26 and anchored at its'lower end to a lug 34 struck up from the webA I8. The housing 25,` may be moved vertically. with respect tothe arm 5 against the actioniof the spring 3? to releasethe notches 3|` from latched" engagementV with. the lugs. 32.Y whereby" to. permit the housing to be swungto open position as illustratedI in Fig. 3, the slots 2l permitting the pin 2.65 to. move upwardly therein during therelativeV movement of the housing and arm.

The staple-applying mechanism comprises a hollow, rectangular plunger 40 mountedV for reciprocation inv the housing' 25" and carrying a staple-driverl 4| onA its forward side in alinement with the anvil. 3- on the base 2*. The plungerMl isguided` atl the frontv and; sides by the front wall` 29 andv side. wall's`2l and 28 of the housing 25 and at its rearby'a. backing plate 42. plate 42 is` Supported at its upper end by inwardly-directed anges. 43' on the sidewalls 21V and 28 of the housing 25. The backingl plate is supported at the bottom by a pin 44 extending through` a bearing 45 inthe lower forwardly bent end; of the plate, the ends ofl the pin being secured to theside walls 21 and 28 of the housing 25; The plunger 40 and staple-driver 4I are normally heldin raised' position as illustrated in Fig. 2. by a helical' compression spring 45 positioned inthe hollow ofy the plungerv and acting between a knob 41 secured to the top of the plunger andthe pin 44. As shown most clearly in Fig. 2, the staple-driver 41' is adapted to be reciprocated inthe throat 385 to drive the staples into the work with its descentl'mited by the engagement of a lug 48 extending rearwardly from the plunger 4ll`- with the end of a. slot 49 in the backing plate.42.

rlhe staples. s supported on the core Hl. are slid forwardly in the magazine-arm 5- and fed successively into the throat 30 by'means of a staplepusher 50S. The staple-pusher 5l) is of inverted U-shape to adapt it to ride on the core I at the rear of the staples and to fit in the. space between` the core. and channel member 9. The pusher 50i is urged forwardly in the magazine by means of an elastic cord connected toit at one end and looped around a suitable post 52 with its opposite end connected tov the arm 5. An inclined cam-face 53 is provided at` the forward end of the pusher 50'l adapted to be engaged by the end The backing of the driver 4| when the magazine is empty to move the pusher rearwardly therein. Although the cam-face 53 may take other forms, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4 it is constituted by an ear 54 struck up from the top of the pusher 58, the forward edge of the ear being ground or otherwise beveled to incline it rearwardly from the front of the pusher.

In accordance with the present invention a novel form of staple-retainer is provided comprising an element movable longitudinally of. the arm 5 into binding engagement with the staples sto dogthe latter when the housing 25 is opened and movable inthe opposite direction to release the staples when the` housing is closed. Although i the. movableelement may take other forms, as herein illustrated it comprises a wheel 6i! having a serrated periphery B I. The wheel 58 is mounted to. rotateand slide bodily in a U-shaped frame 62 having spaced wings 63 and S4 connected at one end? by" aweb 65:. The wings '53 and. 54 of the frame. 62 are provided with alined holes 6B' and alined slots. 6T' inclined downwardly therefrom. rearwardly of the web (i5-see Fig. 6; The wheell 6.0L' is supported between the wings 63' and 64 of. the frame 62 by means. off a pin 68 fast in an axial bore 6.9y in the wheel with its ends projecting intothe' inclined slots 61. The wheel 60 isthus, free`V to rotate. and.- move bodily with the pin. sliding in the inclined slots 61, the spaced wings 63;. and 64 holding the wheel laterally positionedA in the frame. The frame 621s rockably mounted on a fixed' pinfHl-extending. between the stanchions. I6V and I1 abovev the core I!) and through thealined holes 66 in the wings 63 and 54. With the parts of the retainer assembled on the arm 5t as. illustrated in Figs. Zand 4 the wheel' 60 is positioned. at the. rear oi the pin 'l5 while the webs. 65 of the U-shaped frame 52 is positionedforwardly of the pin to adaptit to be engaged by the backing plate 42'in the housing. 25.

A spring. 1|Y is coiled about the pin 10 at one side of the frame62: withy one end' in hooked engagement with the frame and the opposite end bearing. against the pin. 26 which acts as an abutment tolcause the framel to be yieldingly rocked in acounterclockwise directionas viewed in Fig. 3. The edges` of. the inclined slots El? which engage the projecting ends of'tho pin 68. act as cams tending to move the wheel 60' bodily into and out of: wedging engagement between the. fasteners s and the pin 1U. For example, when the frame 62! is rocked in acounterclockwise direction by the spring. 'H' the rearward edges of the slots61 bear againstthe ends of the pin B8 to move the wheel 60 forwardly of the arm 5 to` dog it against the staples whil'e the opposite edges ot the inclined slots cam the wheel rearwardly to release the staples when the frame is rocked; in a clockwise direction. Due to the loose connection of the wheely 60 withA the frame B2 the wheel isV adapted to automatically adjust itself between the staples s and the pin 10, which latter acts. as an abutment, and the serrated periphery 6I positively grips the staplesv s and. pin 10.. One embodimentv of' the invention having been described in detail the mode of' operation of the device will be nextY explained..

To load the magazine 5 with a rell of staples s the housing 2.5 which constitutes the closure for the forward end. of the magazine is first lifted to.

release the notches 3l. from latched engagement with the lugs. 32 and then rocked on its pivot 26 to open position illustrated in Fig. 3. This rocking movement of the housing 25 releases the backing plate 42 from engagement with the web 65 on the frame 62 land the spring 1I, acting between the abutment 2S and the frame 62, immediately rocks the latter from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 3. The rocking movement of the frame 62 moves the wheel 60 downwardly and the inclined edges of the slots 61 act as cams or wedges to move the wheel forwardly. If there are any considerable number of staples in the magazine the edge 6l of the wheel 6U is wedged between the stap-les and the abutment pin 'lll as shown in Fig. 3. If there are only a few or no staples in the magazine the wheel wedges between the top of the pusher 50 and the abutment pin 'l0 as illustrated in Fig. 5. The staples and pusher are thus held against ejection from the magazine under the action of the resilient -cord 5I. Due to the loose mounting of the pin 58 in the frame 62 the wheel 60 is permitted to adjust itself to positively contact its serrated edge 6l with the staples s and the abutment pin 15. Moreover, the force of the pusher 55 urging the staples forwardly in the magazine tends to rotate the wheel 50 and increase its binding engagement with the abutment pin 10.

After the magazine has been opened in the manner as above explained a refill stick of staples s may be inserted thereinto by sliding it onto the core lil against the action of the pusher 50. The rearward movement of the staple stick in the magazine causes the wheel 55 to be moved rearwardly in the same direction to release its wedging engagement, the Wheel being rotated on the staples as the stick is inserted. When the stick is released the combined action of the spring 'il and the forward movement of the stick by the pusher 55 immediately cause the wheel 60 to be moved forwardly into wedging engagement between the staples s and pin 10. After the magazine has been fully loaded the housing 25 is rocked on its pivot 2S and latched in closed position as illustrated in Fig. 1 by engaging the notches 2| with the lugs 32. During the last increment of movement of the housing 25 to its closed position the backing plate 42 engages the web 65 of the frame 62 and rocks the latter in a clockwise direction against the action of the spring 'H to the position shown in Fig. 2. The bottom edges of the inclined slots 6l then act to cam the wheel 6l) rearwardly and out of wedging engagement to release the staples s. The arrangement of the parts is preferably such that the ends of the pin 68 bottom in the lower ends of the slots 61 as the frame 62 is rocked by the backing plate 42 so that the wheel 60 is lifted out of engagement wth the staples s as illustrated in Fig. 2.

The pusher 50, acted upon by the resilient cord 5l, moves the staples s forwardly in the magazine 5 to position the foremost staple of the stick in the throat 3l) beneath the drive 4I. The staple in the throat 32 may then be driven into the work by depressing the plunger 40 against the action of the spring 45 which causes the driver 4I to be moved downwardly through the throat. When released, the plunger 40 is returned to the position illustrated in Fig. 2 by the spring 46 which positions the end of the driver 4l above the staples so that the next succeeding staple in the stick may be advanced by the pusher 50 to a position beneath the end of the driver. The operation of driving the staples may thus be continued until the supply in the magazine is entirely exhausted. When the supply of staples s is exhausted, or if a staple becomes jammed in the throat 30, the closure 25 is rocked to its open position illustrated in Fig. 3 to again refill the magazine or to release the jammed staple as the case may be. It will be noted that each time the closure 25 for the magazine 5 is rocked to open position the wheel G0 is automatically moved into wedging engagement between the staples s and the abutment pin 'Hl and thus the wheel 60 is rotated from time to time so that different portions of its serrated edge 6l engage the staples s and pin 10 whereof to distribute the wear over the entire periphery of the Wheel.

It will be observed from the foregoing that the present invention provides a novel form of stapleretainer adapted to be automatically carried into binding engagement with a stationary abutment and the staples in the magazine. It will also be observed that the present form of retainer is of simple and compact construction, adapted to be used on vstandard types of machines, being positive in its operation to dog the staples to prevent their accidental ejection from the magazine of the device.

' While the improved device is herein described and illustrated as embodied in a preferred form of construction, it is to be understood that Various modifications may be made in the structure and arrangement of its parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For instance, the movable wedging member may have other forms than a wheel, as herein illustrated, and the wedging member may be arranged in other forms of supports than the cage frame,

herein shown and described, to adapt the wedging element to be moved into and out of binding engagement with the staples. Therefore, without limiting myself in this respect, I claim:

1. In a device of the type indicated, a magazine for holding a supply of fasteners, a movable closure for the magazine, means for advancing the fasteners in the magazine, a member mounted to rotate on a displaceable axis adjacent the end of the magazine, and means for displacing the axis of the member to cause it to engage the fasteners to prevent their ejectment from the magazine when the closure is opened.

2. In a .device of the type indicated, a magazine for holding a supply of fasteners, a movable closure for the magazine, means for advancingthe fasteners in the magazine, a member mounted to rotate and move bodily above the fasteners adjacent the end of the magazine, and means for bodily moving said member to engage it with the fasteners to prevent their ej ectment from the magazine when the closure is opened.

3. In a device of the type indicated, a magazine for holding a supply of fasteners, an abutment adjacent the end of the magazine, a movable closure at the end of the magazine, means for advancing the fasteners in the magazine, a wheel having serrations on its periphery, means for mounting the wheel adjacent the end of the magazine to adapt it to move into Wedging engagement between the abutment and the fasteners, and means actuated by the closing of the closure for moving the wheel to release the fasteners.

4. In a device of the type indicated, a magazine for holding a supply of fasteners, an abutment in the magazine above the fasteners, a movable closure at the end of the magazine, means for advancing fasteners in the magazine, a retainer bodily movable longitudinally of the magazine, and means for yieldingly urging the retainer into wedging engagement between the fasteners and the abutment when the closure is opened, said retainer being actuated by the closing of the closure to release the fasteners.

5. In a device of the type indicated, a magazine for holding a supply of fasteners, an abutment adjacent the end of the magazine, a movable closure for the magazine, means for advancing the fasteners in the magezine, a frame pivotally mounted adjacent the end of the magazine, a retainer bodily movable on the frame, and yielding means for rocking the frame to wedge the retainer between the abutment and fasteners, said frame being rocked by the closing movement of the closure to release the fasteners.

6. In a stapling or wire-stitching machine, a magazine for holding a supply of staples, a movable closure at the end of the magazine, means for advancing the staples in the magazine, a pin extending transversely of the magazine above the staples, a frame pivotally mounted on the pin and having inclined slots, a staple-retainer on the frame having trunnions extending through said slots, and a spring for roelring the frame to wedge the staple-retainer between the staples and the pin, said frame being rocked by the closing movement of the closure to move the staple-retainer away from the staples.

'7. In a stapling or wire-stitching machine, a magazine for holding a supply of staples, a movable closure for the magazine, means for advancing the staples in the magazine, a pin extending transversely of the magazine above the staples, a frame pivotally mounted on the pin, said frame having a cam at one side of the pin and a projection at the opposite side thereof, a wheel on said frame, said Wheel having a serrated edge for wedging engagement between the staples and pin, and a spring for rocking the frame to cause the cam to Wedge the wheel between the staples and pin, the projection on the frame being engaged by the closure to rock the frame and thereby cam the wheel from wedging engagement with the staples.

8*. In a stapling or wire-stitching machine, a magazine for holding a supply of staples, a movable closure for the magazine, means for advancing the staples in the magazine, a pin extending transversely of the magazine above the staples, a U-shaped frame pivotally mounted on the pin, said frame having inclined cam-slots at one side of the pin and an abutment at the opposite side of the pin adjacent the closure, a Wheel in said frame having a serrated edge and trunnions projecting into the slots, and a spring for rocking the frame to cause the slots to cam the wheel into Wedging engagement between the staples and pin when the closure is opened, said abutment on the frame being engaged by the closure when the latter is closed to rock the frame to release the wheel from the staples.

9. In a deviceV of the type indicated, a magazine for holding a supply of fasteners, a driver for driving the fasteners as they are advanced in the magazine, a pusher of inverted U-shape having a portion of its top wall offset at its forward end to form an ear with the forward edge of the ear inclined rearwardly to provide a camface, and resilient means for yieldingly advancing the pusher, said driver being arranged to engage the cam-face on the pusher when the magazine is empty to cam the pusher rearwardly in the magazine.

JOHN F. CAVANAGH. 

